Purpose of Program:
This five-year grant program provides the opportunity to create or replicate evidence-based magnet programs and magnet schools that seek to reduce, eliminate, or prevent minority group isolation by taking into account socioeconomic diversity. Agencies that meet the program qualifications gain funds needed to increase racial integration and promote academic opportunity and excellence in the school system. Magnet School Assistance Program goals include:
- Equitable access to high quality education
- Improving capacity of LEAs
- Preparing students for the future
- Preventing minority group isolation
- Magnet School programs
- Innovative educational methods and practices
How is the MSAP Program Evaluated?
The independent program evaluation reports on program fidelity, impact and the following indicators:
(1) Number and percentage of magnet schools receiving assistance whose student enrollment reduces, eliminates, or prevents minority group isolation
(2) Percentage increase of students from major racial and ethnic groups in magnet schools receiving assistance who score proficient or above on State assessments in reading/language arts as compared to previous year’s data
(3) Percentage increase of students from each major racial and ethnic groups in magnet schools receiving assistance who score proficient or above on State assessments in mathematics as compared to previous year’s data
(4) Percentage of magnet schools that received assistance that are still operating magnet school programs three years after Federal funding ends
(5) Percentage of magnet schools that received assistance that meet the State’s annual measurable objectives and, for high schools, graduation rate targets at least three years after Federal funding ends.
(6) Percentage increase for all students across each racial and ethnic groups in MSAP-funded magnets still operating programs who score proficient or above on State assessments in math three years after Federal funding ends as compared to the final project year.
Who is Eligible to Participate in the Magnet Schools Assistance Program?
Local Education Agencies (LEA), or consortia of LEAs, implementing a desegregation plan. That desegregation plan can be:
- Voluntary approved by a School Board and submitted to the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Civil Rights for approval as part of the application; or
- Required by a Federal or State Court or Agency
Research Associates' Impact:
Research Associates has helped to secure over $30 million in federal grants funded focusing on innovation and magnet schools including MSAP. Since 2017, our funded MSAP grants have impacted:
- 9,614 students in South Carolina and Georgia
- 785 educators
- 18 schools across 2 districts
Contact the Grant Experts:
Could your school district qualify for funding? To find out more about program requirements and eligibility, contact our knowledgeable team at Research Associates.